Laundry container

ABSTRACT

A laundry container including a first vertical wall ( 2 ) and a second wall ( 3 ) which are mutually joined by a pair of flexible walls ( 4  and  5 ). The first vertical wall is designed to be engaged with a vertical surface, by means of a fastening device ( 6 ). The second wall has handgrip ( 10 ) located at the top or on the side of the second wall for moving the wall with respect to the first wall. Each flexible wall is produced using a bellows-folded material, so as to be easily extended, or an elastic material or a foldable or a soft material that can be easily folded so as to be contained within the first and second walls. An opening is present in one of the flexible walls, to permit the insertion of the laundry into the container.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a laundry container which is particularly suitable for containing dirty laundry, to be placed in the room where the washing machine is located, such as a bathroom, a kitchen or a specially designed laundry room.

BACKGROUND ART

As is known, dirty laundry containers are normally baskets that are used to collect laundry to be washed.

Nowadays, there are extremely numerous versions of laundry baskets available on the market, made of various materials and in various sizes and models. The quintessential laundry basket is made of wicker. It usually consists of a structure with an oval or square base, an average height of 50 or 60 cm, and a good capacity. It is sealed with a lid made of the same material and may contain a fabric bag inside. The fact that the basket is not completely airtight means the clothes can breathe and all the unpleasant odours are not trapped inside. These baskets, while carrying out their function, pose several problems due to the fact that—as they are rigid—they are cumbersome and often obstruct the passageway and usability of the bathroom or the room in which they are located. Furthermore, the wicker material often clashes with the style of the bathroom, which makes it aesthetically displeasing, in addition to the fact that wicker may wear over time due to the moisture in the bathroom and can also be hazardous due to the presence of splinters and points which are typical of wooden materials. Furthermore, the lid is often removed to make the basket more practical to use, but this results in the dispersion of unpleasant odours in the room in addition to an unpleasant view of dirty laundry.

Alternatively, there are plastic baskets which have the same dimensions as the wicker baskets, and they have the same problems caused by their bulk. In particular, plastic baskets are often well sealed, which means they can be deemed virtually airtight. While, on the one hand, this ensures the unpleasant odours do not reach the rest of the room, on the other, it keeps them compressed inside the basket, making them “explode” once opened. Compared to wicker, plastic it suitable for a range of colour solutions and also shapes, which means there is a possibility of greater personalisation of this piece of furniture, which, therefore, may be more suitable and closer to the style of the entire room. Another type of laundry basket currently available on the market consists of a combination of wood/metal and cloth: there are baskets which have a wood or metal frame and a cloth bag. In particular, very often these structures, if empty, can be folded up so as to occupy less space. These laundry baskets also pose various problems. Indeed, these types of baskets are particularly cumbersome because of their frame, aesthetically speaking they are rather “rustic” so they do not fit in with stylish or modern bathrooms and very often they do not have a top lid, which means the dirty laundry is visible and although the cloth bag allows the laundry to breathe, it does not to retain the unpleasant odours.

As mentioned earlier, a big problem with dirty laundry containers is the unpleasant odour and the fact that, if full, it is also visually unpleasant, but—on the other hand—with today's hectic and busy lifestyles, laundry often remains in these containers for several days, so it is important to find an adequate location for the said containers which must be, nevertheless, convenient and within easy reach for the insertion of dirty laundry therein during changing, as well as conveniently close to the washing machine. As a result, the choice of where to place the laundry becomes vital and this can be, for example, under the window or, at least, next to the washbasin, but never next to the toilet; furthermore, it is also necessary to consider the overall dimensions: there are baskets of all sizes, but before purchasing one with the capacity in mind, one should also consider whether the space in the bathroom is sufficient. In small, modern apartments nowadays, this is the room with the least free space.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is essentially to solve the problems of the known technique by overcoming the aforesaid drawbacks by means of a laundry container which can be applied to and engages with a vertical surface in a quick, practical and simple way, takes up little space, and is extremely functional.

A second aim of the present invention is to produce a laundry container which can provide a good capacity which changes with the insertion of dirty laundry.

A further aim of the present invention is to produce a laundry container whose appearance can be customised with various colour combinations, graphics and images and which is particularly attractive and pleasing.

Another aim of the present invention is to produce a laundry container which is easily adaptable and can fit into any kind of setting, which is suitably sized to be able to contain different quantities of laundry, is not bulky, and—at the same time—is practical and functional.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a laundry container which can be applied to any vertical wall, such as the side wall of a washing machine, a wall, a door, the inside of a door on a piece of furniture, etc.

A further but not final aim of the present invention is to produce a laundry container which is easy to manufacture and works well.

These aims and others besides, which will better emerge over the course of the present description, are essentially achieved by means of a laundry container, as outlined in the claims below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages will better emerge in the detailed description of a laundry container according to this invention, provided in the form of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a perspective view of a laundry container according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows, schematically, a front view of the laundry container in FIG. 1 in the operating condition;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a detail of the container in question in, respectively, the operating and resting conditions;

FIG. 5 shows, schematically, a perspective view of a variant of the laundry container according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows, schematically, a perspective view of the container in FIG. 5 in the operating condition;

FIG. 7 shows, schematically, a perspective view of a further variant of the laundry container according to the present invention;

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the container in FIG. 7 in, respectively, the resting and operating conditions;

FIG. 10 shows, schematically, a perspective view of a still further variant of the laundry container according to the present invention.

With reference to the aforesaid figures, and in particular FIG. 1, 1 denotes a laundry container as a whole, according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The laundry container 1 in question essentially consists of a first vertical wall 2 and a second wall 3, which are mutually joined by a pair of flexible walls 4 and 5.

In greater detail, the first vertical wall 2 is designed to be engaged with a vertical surface, such as the side panel of a washing machine or dryer, a wall, a door, a door on a piece of furniture, etc. and to do this fastening means 6 are provided. The said fastening means 6 consist of a Velcro strip, an adhesive strip or adhesive elements, a pair of hooks or pins, a ring, or any other means which can assure, in an equivalent manner, the same action.

According to the present invention, the second wall 3 is rotatably engaged with the first wall 2 by means of rotatable pins or a hinge element 7, as shown in FIG. 2 or in FIG. 6. The first vertical wall 2, together with the second wall 3, can create an angle which changes from 0° when the container is in the resting condition to 90°—as shown in FIG. 10—in the operating condition, or possibly an intermediate angle, as shown in FIG. 5.

To move the second wall 3 with respect to the first wall 2, a handgrip 10 is envisaged, located at the top, as shown in FIG. 6, or laterally, on the wall 3, as shown in FIG. 7.

In agreement with the present embodiment, each flexible wall 4 or 5 is produced using a bellows-folded material, so as to be easily extended, or an elastic material or a soft material which can be easily folded so as to be contained within the two walls 2 and 3, as shown in FIG. 8. More specifically, on one of the flexible walls there is an opening 11 present, which is envisaged for the insertion of the laundry into the container.

The opening 11 has any configuration, such as circular, square or any other, and can be trimmed with an edge profile 12 which bends and closes by 180° when the flexible wall collapses and folds, as shown in FIG. 4. In particular, the opening can be provided with a lid, which allows the opening to be covered and therefore the container to be closed.

In addition to the explanations so far, when the laundry container is in the resting condition, or is empty, the walls 2 and 3 are mutually joined by means of a fastening element, which can be constituted of a hook, a magnet, a Velcro strip, a joint, or any other equivalent element which allows the two walls to be kept in a mutually close position, as shown in FIG. 8.

In agreement with present invention, the walls 2 and 3 are made of plastic, wood, or metal, so as to create a rigid wall, while the flexible walls are made of fabric or lightweight plastic so as to be able to fold up and close, or of rubber or any other material suitable for the purpose.

The laundry container 1 features a closing wall 13 when the two walls 2 and 3 are mutually connected in a rotatable fashion, as shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the container can also be open at the top, as shown in FIG. 5 or sealed by a closing wall.

One variant envisages that the two walls 2 and 3 are not are mutually connected as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, wherein the two walls 2 and 3 are sealed, at the top and bottom, by a pair of flexible horizontal walls 14 and 15 which open and then close again in agreement with the flexible walls 4 and 5.

As mentioned earlier, the two walls 2 and 3 are positioned in a mutually close fashion, when the container is in the resting position, and as the container extends for the insertion of the laundry, the angle between the walls increases until it becomes a right angle, as shown in FIG. 10, whether the joining point of the two walls 2 and 3 is positioned at the top or at the bottom.

In the variant shown in FIG. 8, the two walls 2 and 3 are side by side, although not joined, when the container is in the resting position, while they are parallel to each other and always move mutually apart in a parallel fashion upon insertion of the laundry, as shown in FIG. 7. In greater detail, the wall 3 can feature, at the bottom thereof, a pair of rubber pads which create, for the wall, a resting point and a friction point on the ground, or a pair of wheels which facilitate handling of the second wall and the container as it is being filled.

After the predominantly structural description, the invention in question will now be outlined.

The laundry container in question works like a conventional laundry basket; indeed it is designed to house and contain dirty laundry.

When intending to use the container, a person has to fasten it to a vertical element, such as a side panel of a washing machine or a cabinet, either internally or externally, or a door or wall, by means of the fastening means 6. Once the container is set up, the user simply has to insert the dirty laundry through the opening. Upon insertion of the laundry, the flexible walls extend until the container is completely full, while when the laundry to be washed is removed, the flexible walls close, reducing the overall dimensions of the container.

Thus the present invention achieves the aims set.

The laundry container in question can be applied to and engages with a vertical surface, such as a side panel of a household electrical appliance or piece of furniture, or a wall or door, in a quick, practical and simple way, takes up little space, and is extremely functional.

Advantageously, the dirty laundry container helps solve a great problem, which is that of lack of space, since our homes are becoming increasingly smaller, which means finding space for everything becomes a far from easy task; indeed, it is also possible to hang it in the shower, in a hidden corner, or in a small area of free space.

Another advantage of the present invention is the fact that the laundry container offers a good capacity which changes with the insertion or removal of the dirty laundry, which means that, because of its shape, the said container becomes a space-saving element since its dimensions depend on the degree of filling thereof.

In particular, the container can have an aesthetic appearance which may be customised and varied according to the materials and colours used for the production thereof, in order to render the said container attractive, pleasing, discreet and adaptable to any kind of setting, style, and taste.

As mentioned earlier, the laundry container is easily adaptable and can fit in to any type of setting, as well as being able to vary in terms of dimensions according to the use thereof.

Indeed, due to the conformation thereof, the container takes up little space, since it is not a rigid container like those according to the commonly known technique, it can be hung up so as not to occupy floorspace, and at the same time it is practical and functional and can also be placed inside a piece of furniture by applying it to a wall or an inside door.

Advantageously, the container promotes an orderly containment of the laundry, keeping it out of sight, and limiting the diffusion of unpleasant odours through the presence of the opening on the side which allows airing therewithin but limits the release of unpleasant odours.

A further advantage is due to the fact that the laundry container in question is easy to manufacture and works well.

Naturally, further modifications or variants may be applied to the present invention while remaining within the scope of the invention that characterises it. 

1. A laundry container characterised by the fact that such container consists of a first vertical wall (2) and a second wall (3) which are mutually joined by a pair of flexible walls (4 and 5) wherein: the first vertical wall (2) is designed to be engaged—by fastening means—with a vertical surface, such as the side panel of a washing machine or dryer, a wall, a door, a door on a piece of furniture, etc. the second wall (3) is equipped with a handgrip (10) located at the top or on the side of the wall (3) for moving the said second wall (3) with respect to the said first wall (2), each flexible wall (4 or 5) is produced using a bellows-folded material, so as to be easily extended, or an elastic material or a foldable or a soft material which can be easily folded so as to be contained within the two walls (2 and 3), on one of the flexible walls, there is an opening (11) which is envisaged for the insertion of the laundry into the container and has any configuration, such as circular, square or any other, and is endowed with an edge profile (12) which bends and closes when the flexible wall collapses and folds, the said container being provided to operate from a resting condition, in which the container is empty and the walls (2 and 3) are arranged in a mutually close position, to an operating condition, in which laundry to be washed is inserted into the container and housed therein and the walls (2 and 3) are mutually separated by the flexible walls (4 and 5).
 2. A laundry container according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the second wall (3) is rotatably engaged with the first wall (2) by means of rotatable pins or a hinge element (7), and that the said first vertical wall (2), together with the second wall (3), creates an angle which changes from 0° when the container is in the resting condition to 90° in the operating condition, or possibly an intermediate angle.
 3. A laundry container according to claim 2, characterised by the fact that the said container features a flexible closing wall (13) when the two walls (2 and 3) are mutually connected in a rotatable fashion.
 4. A laundry container according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said fastening means consist of a Velcro strip, an adhesive strip or adhesive elements, a pair of hooks or pins, a ring, or any other means which can assure, in an equivalent manner, the engagement of the vertical wall (2) with the vertical surface.
 5. A laundry container according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said container comprises a hooking element consisting of a hook, a magnet, a Velcro strip, a joint, or any other equivalent element which allows the two walls (2 and 3) to be kept in a mutually close position when the container is in the resting condition.
 6. A laundry container according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the walls (2 and 3) are made of plastic, wood, or metal, so as to create a rigid wall while the flexible walls are made of fabric or lightweight plastic so as to be able to fold up and close, or of rubber or any other material suitable for the purpose.
 7. A laundry container according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said opening (11) is equipped with a lid which allows the opening to be covered and therefore the container to be closed.
 8. A laundry container according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said two walls (2 and 3) are mutually connected, at the top and bottom, by a pair of flexible horizontal walls (14 and 15) which open and then close again in agreement with the flexible walls (4 and 5).
 9. A laundry container according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the top thereof is opened or closed by a closing wall.
 10. A laundry container according to claim 8, characterised by the fact that the said wall (3) features, at the bottom thereof, a pair of rubber pads which create, for the wall, a resting point and a friction point on the ground, or a pair of wheels which facilitate handling of the second wall and the container as it is being filled. 